The Indian national team could take on the Philippines in a couple of international friendlies in November, Sportskeeda can reveal.
India won’t be in action in October but with a couple of FIFA dates available in November, the AIFF are eager to arrange two friendly matches for Wim Koevermans’ side and have also kept no I-League matches between November 9 and 23.
“Yes, we are trying to play two friendlies in November,” AIFF general secretary Kushal Das confirmed to Sportskeeda on Monday.
It was learnt that the Philippines, who are placed 14 spots above India in the FIFA Rankings at 141, are the most likely opponents and both games are expected to be held in the same venue with Delhi and Chennai being the options. The matches could take place on November 15 and 17.
“We have approached the Philippines and are awaiting their confirmation,” AIFF national teams’ director Shubhankar Mukherjee told Sportskeeda.
India last faced the Philippines in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup group stage in Nepal and were beaten 2-0. South-East Asia’s Philippines have qualified for the 2014 Challenge Cup in Maldives unlike India.
SAFF 2013 runners-up India have only played three international friendlies since Koevermans’ appointment in July 2012 and have lost each of them.

THE Philippine Football Federation (PFF) fears it will lose some of its private-sector sponsors after the national Under-23 men’s team failed to get the green light from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in its bid to represent the country in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.

Despite its willingness to spend for the whole trip of both the men’s team as well as the women’s team – which made the SEA Games cut, the PFF’s request was turned down by the POC which cited the much-criticized criteria that the U-23 Azkals are not gold-medal contenders in the Myanmar Games.

“Instead of giving incentives to associations that have sponsors, I think it’s a 'decentive,'" PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said.

The POC, according to Araneta, explained that it was just trying to be fair to other national sports associations that have no sponsors to fund their team's trips.

But in so doing, the POC has done a disservice to NSAs which have the funds to send their teams to Myanmar, Araneta pointed out.

The Japanese car brand has bankrolled the last two editions of PFF’s national U-23 tournament, spending P11 million, according to Araneta, in the last staging alone earlier this year.

“I won’t be surprised if they won’t sponsor us anymore. Kasi bakit pa? Wala namang incentive to put up a team for the Under-23, so why put up a tournament for the Under-23?”

“If that’s the sports officials’ intention — to even the playing field — then they have been successful in achieving this,” Araneta added sarcastically.

Araneta said one of the PFF’s sponsors was, in fact, SEA Games host Myanmar which offered to shoulder the Philippine team's expenses if it won’t get any funding from the country.

The PFF's bid to send a team to the SEA Games, according to Araneta, was even backed by Asean Football Federation president Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah of Malaysia who wrote a letter earlier this month to POC president Peping Cojuangco to appeal the national side’s inclusion in Myanmar.

Araneta said the Sultan was instrumental in the AFF’s US$100,000 donation to the victims of Typhoon Pablo last February.

Japan, who defeated Indonesia by identical scoreline earlier on Sunday, topped Group J with maximum nine points from three matches. Vietnam only suffered a loss against the table toppers with 2-1 defeat but they redeemed themselves by beating the Philippines and Indonesia.

Le Tien Anh put the Vietnamese in front in the 28th minute while Nyugen Van Huy and Hoang The Tai scored second half goals in the match in which both the sides ended up with 10-man.

Philippines’ Christian Floren got the marching order in the 62nd minute and goalscorer Huy was also cautioned twice with the second being in the 79th minute.

POC-PSC Task Force SEA Games has officially removed U23 Azkals from the Philippine delegation to the 2013 SEA Games to be held in Myanmar.

The decision of the task force is highly commendable. It shows that performance truly trumps influence. Despite the numerous appeals of PFF and the write-ups of Azkals-friendly sports writers, the dismal performance of the squad in recent years created the greatest impact among the members of the task force. Thus, the decision not to include the squad in the regional tournament.

What PFF and some fans refuse to see and acknowledge is the shame that the U23 Azkals brought to the country in the last SEA Games. Aside from finishing dead-last, the U23 Azkals gave considerable shame to the country with their off-the-pitch behavior. For the first time in Philippine sports history, a team captain of a national squad abandoned his team in the middle of an international tournament. Several members of the team too engaged in behavior so unbecoming of national athletes. Hotel personnel, POC and PSC officials only know too well what some of the players did during the last SEA Games.

While I am for the development of football in the country, I too am particular with the leaders and players behind the sport. It is probably time to determine whether these leaders or players truly deserve the country's support.The City Buzz

WHILE Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez remains in limbo with the United Football League still to rule on which team he should join this season, the team that earlier signed him, Global, has been forced by the league to forfeit games in UFL preseason play where last year’s top scorer was involved.

The UFL Disciplinary Committee said Sanchez failed to secure a Player Transfer Certificate from Stallion, making him ineligible to play for Global, which still made the semifinals of the preseason tournament along with Loyola Meralco, Green Archers and Nomads.

“Sanchez will remain ineligible until the dispute is either settled by the two involved clubs, or until the UFL passes judgment on whether Sanchez will be considered a free agent or a Stallion player,” a statement from the league said.

Global forfeited wins against Union, Manila All-Japan and Loyola because Sanchez saw action in the games.

Kampala-Uganda will not take part in the Philippines Peace Cup due October after Fufa declined the invitation.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) extended invitations to Uganda and Rwanda for the four-nation Philippine Peace Cup in Bacolod City from Oct 11 to 15. They are also eying Burundi and Afghanistan.“We received communication but we didn’t confirm participation,” Fufa CEO Edgar Watson told Sunday Monitor, adding, “So we shall not participate.”

Watson did not offer any reasons for the decline. In his plans on the said Fifa dates in October, Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic intends to play a friendly and this would have come in handy.

Quality checkBut perhaps Fufa gauged the quality of opposition in the Phillipines Cup and decided against it.Uganda would have been the highest Fifa ranked team at the tournament at 77, with Rwanda – also yet to confirm participation – at 131. By Tuesday, only Chinese-Taipei had confirmed participation yet the PFF had set a Friday deadline to complete the cast for the tournament which is also meant to help defending champions Azkals prepare for the AFC Challenge Cup next year.

28 September 2013

The Pak Shaheens will be taking part in the 2nd annual Peace Cup that is set to take place in the Philippines from 11th to the 15th of October.

In an superb move that will take Pakistan’s tally of International games to 14 this year, the Green Shirts will get a chance to pit their strengths against the hosts, Chinese Taipei and a 3rd team that is yet to be confirmed.

With the game set to be on FIFA Match Days, established stars such as Zesh Rehman, Hassan Bashir, Adnan Ahmad, Yousuf Butt and Mohammad Ali will be leading the line-up alongside Mohammad Adil, Kaleemullah, Saddam Hussain, Mohammad Ahmad, Faisal Iqbal and Riaz Ahmad.

However, there are rumours that Nabil Aslam could finally make his debut for Pakistan after missing out on the SAFF Championship due to a lack of documents and injuries. Amjad Iqbal and Shabir Khan may also play provided they can sort out their work issues on time and be free of the treatment table curse.

And Pakistani fans might also get a glimpse of Luke Dean (Harrogate Town) and Bilal Butt (Beaconsfield), who have not been capped yet but are on the radars of the coaches for the Peace Cup.

One person who will miss out on the games is Atif Bashir, the Bulldozer of a midfielder, who is a fan-favourite, but sadly is still recovering from his injury.

Nonetheless, the Peace Cup will provide three games for the Pakistani side, an unprecedented move that will take their tally of International action to 14 for this year. And that this something which PFF Marketing Director Sardar Naveed Haider claims will benefit the side immensely and provide more exposure.

“It will help definitely boost their confidence. We have got a new coach and we will provide maximum exposure to our boys. It is a great opportunity for our boys to compete in an International Tournament,” said the official while exclusively talking to FootballPakistan.com.

“Football is now the happening game in Pakistan more and more Corporates plus Media are coming forward to support PFF,” he concluded.

With the majority of the team expected to be the same and KRL enjoying an amazing run in the AFC Presidents Cup, the need for a camp goes away and the team should train for a few days only before departing for Manila.

Global, Loyola Meralco Sparks, Nomads and Green Archers United all booked their place in the semi-finals of the UFL Preseason, as the second group stage wrapped up on Friday night.

The Archers moved on after a 4-0 win over Nomads, who go through at the expense of Stallion. Having won 5-1 against the double-champs in their first match in the second round, Nomads will be looking to rediscover their form when the semi-finals start on October 6.

Despite losing against Kaya, 2-1, in their final group stage match, Loyola will still move on to the next round, advancing on goal difference, after their recent 3-1 loss to Global was overturned, 3-0, in their favor.

On September 24, the UFL Disciplinary Committee made the decision to forfeit and award in favor of Global’s opponents, matches where disputed player Rufinho Sanchez was involved. Having failed to secure a Player Transfer Certificate from Stallion, last year’s top scorer was deemed ineligible to play for Global, and will remain so until the dispute is either settled by the two involved clubs, or until the UFL passes judgment on whether Sanchez will be considered a free agent or a Stallion player.

Until then, any involvement of Sanchez in any Global matches will be met with further sanctions from the UFL.

The UFL Preseason semi-finals are set to be played next Sunday, October 6 at the Emperador Stadium, a week later than originally scheduled. The move was made in order to accommodate Global’s participation in the semi-finals of the RHB Singapore Cup, where they will play Tanjong Pagar United in a two-legged tie.

Having already defeated Warriors FC, the Cup’s defending champions, and a valiant Brunei DPMM side en route to the semis, Global are in prime position to make history for Philippine club football by bettering Loyola’s semi-final exit in the same competition last year.

The UFL is extremely proud to have clubs representing the league at a regional level and wishes Global the best of luck in their endeavors in the Singapore Cup.

RWANDA Football Federation (Ferwafa) has confirmed that Amavubi Stars will play a friendly game against Uganda Cranes on October 15 at Namboole national stadium in Kampala.Ferwafa chairman Celestin Ntagungira told Saturday Sport yesterday that the match will be a return leg following the friendly between the two sides in Kigali in February.The match will give Amavubi coach Eric Nshimiyimana an opportunity to identify his squad for the Cecafa Challenge Cup due in Kenya from November 28 through December 12.New TimesRwanda and Uganda was invited for Peace Cup in Philippines, but will now play a friendly in Uganda on Oct 15 !

27 September 2013

Uganda has turned down an invitation to take part in a five-nation 2013 Philippines Peace Cup in October.

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson confirmed to MTNFootball.com that they received the invitation from the Philippines Football Federation (PFF) for the event to take place from October 11-15.

“We decided to communicate that we cannot take part because it was very bad timing for us since we have other engagements,” said Watson.

Watson said the Philippines were ready to foot the Cranes logistical bills. “We have a very busy schedule and actually our team will be playing Iraq next week in Amman, Jordan,” explained Watson.

He explained that although the tournament to be held at Bacolod City would have helped the Cranes prepare for the 2013 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup and the 2014 African Nations Championship, it was also an expensive trip in-terms of the return air tickets.

With Uganda out of the tournament, another Cecafa member nation Rwanda is likely to take part in the event.

The PFF general secretary Edwin Gastanes said they are finalizing negotiations with Rwanda and they are hopeful everything will be settled to have the latter compete in the tournament.

The official also said Afghanistan and Burundi are the other possible opponents.

The Filipino Booters, currently ranked 141st in the World, won the inaugural Peace Cup crown-their first international title in almost a century.

MANILA, Philippines – The Southeast Asian Games task force of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission has slammed the door on the bid of the Phl under-23 football team to compete in the coming SEAG in Myanmar.

According to POC chairman Tom Carrasco, the Philippine Football Federation has not satisfactorily justified the inclusion of the U-23 Azkals in terms of their qualification and capability as gold medal contender.

"Not much activity as a team to show," Carrasco told The STAR yesterday.

He said it didn't help the booters that they only had a single international friendly to use as basis – the one against Singapore U-23, which Phl had lost, 0-1.

“Wala tayong makitang basis para maisama sila sa delegation (We found no basis in making them a part of the delegation)," Carrasco said.

"Isa lang ang kanilang friendly game na sinalihan at natalo pa sa Singapore. Kung sana mga apat o limang friendly games ang kanilang sinalihan para may basis tayo. Nagiging patas lamang tayo sa lahat ng mga NSAs na dumaan din sa ganitong pagsusuri (They only had one friendly and they lost it to Singapore. If perhaps they have four or five, at least we could have had a better basis. We're just being fair in applying this selection criteria to all sports associations)," he added.

The PFF had batted for the inclusion of the U23 Azkals, saying the pool is stronger than the one that took part in 2011 and had a better training program. It had also cited the fact that a number of the men's team Azkals mainstays are still eligible for the SEAG and that the team held its ground against their Singaporean counterparts, most of whom are playing in the Malaysian league.

As it is, only the Philippine women's team Malditas will be representing Phl football in the Myanmar Games.

The Malditas are among 169 athletes that the task force has approved for the SEAG delegation after a series of deliberations.

The task force, meanwhile, gave the blessing for the inclusion of four more bets in athletics and eight more in sepak takraw.

Carrasco bared that the POC has left the door open for 68 more bets, who are still up for further "justification and verification."

This includes the Perlas Pilipinas women's basketball team, which has been given the chance to catch the last bus with "a decent performance" in the FIBA Asia Women’s Championship next month in Thailand.

THE PHILIPPINE men’s national team and United Football League powerhouse Global FC have renewed their partnership with KIA Motors, which will play a key role in supporting the two teams in their campaigns.

The Azkals are vying in the AFC Challenge Cup in May, and KIA’s exclusive country distributor, Columbian Autocar Corp., is looking forward to another year of supporting the team.

Global, which is seeing action in the Singapore Cup, UFL and Smart Club Championship, will also have KIA as its major sponsor and transportation provider.

“The Azkals represent determination, excellence and inspiration and KIA is very proud to stand behind this team in elevating these positive values,” said CAC vice president for marketing Hernando Gañac Jr.

Under the agreement, the Azkals will team up with CAC and KIA in conducting activities to promote football, including a clinic during the KIA Cup.

Dan Palami signed the deal in behalf of the Azkals and Global.

Among the Azkals involved in the previous KIA Cup clinic were skipper Chieffy Caligdong, James and Phil Younghusband, Misagh Bahadoran, Carlie de Murga and OJ Porteria. Cedelf P. Tupas

THE Philippines Football Federation (PFF) has invited Rwanda to compete in the second edition of the 2013 Philippines Peace Cup.

The three-day, four-nation international tournament will be staged October 11 to 15 in Bacolod City.

The PFF general secretary Edwin Gastanes said this week, “We are finalizing negotiations with Rwanda and we hope everything will be settled to have Rwanda competing in the tournament.”

Rwanda Football Federation chairman Celestin Ntagungira confirmed to Times Sport yesterday that they have received invitation to compete in the Azkals tournament.

“We have received the invitation but we are yet to make any decision. We want to first meet the coaches and our sponsors (ministry of sports) to check whether we have the budget to compete in the tournament,” said Ntagungira.

If plans go through, Rwanda, ranked 131st in the latest world rankings, will be the first team that will have a higher ranking than the Azkals in the competition.

The Filipino Booters, currently ranked 141st, captured the inaugural Peace Cup crown-their first international title in almost a century.

Gastanes said they have also invited Uganda to play in the tournament with Afghanistan and Burundi also being eyed as possible opponents.

25 September 2013

After hosting many national and international competitions, the 40-year-old Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City will finally get a facelift.
This was revealed by Angel “Nonong” Verdeflor, provincial sports coordinator, during a recent press conference.
According to him, the provincial government’s plan to renovate the said sports facility will further strengthen the sports hosting capability of the province. If restored, it will serve as alternative venue to Panaad Park and Stadium, particularly for football competition.
“Our Panaad pitch has been suffering from unrested condition after hosting non-stop football tournaments. With the restoration of the Paglaum facility, it will give our Panaad Stadium some time to rest,” Verdeflor said. “Aside from the football field, we are also planning to refurbish our tennis, basketball and volleyball courts,” he added.
On the other hand, Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella welcomed the development saying this will further boost the city and the province’s sports tourism road map.
Puentevella, who also serves as FIFA’s Marketing and TV Committee director, said he will find a way to help in the rehabilitation of the facility given that it’s more accessible to the public during events.
“I will try to ask how FIFA could help in restoring this historical sports complex,” he added.
The city chief executive also said that he will ask Gov. Alfredo Marañon if the province will allow at least 200-meter rubberized tracks in Paglaum to serve as alternative training venue for athletes in the athletics events.
“Though it’s just a 200-meter tracks, but (it is) good enough to help train our short distant athletes in preparation for higher events like Palarong Pambansa,” he said.
Right after Paglaum Sports Complex was established in 1970’s under the late Gov. Alfredo Montelibano Jr., it played host to the Palarong Pambansa in 1971, 1974 and 1979./WDJ - Watchmen Daily Journal

Davao City, Philippines (September 21, 2013) 548 kids, from 57 youth-based communities, pulled out their game face, gears and passion on as they all came together to join Oxfam in the Philippines' "#iScore4Peace in the Bangsamoro: A Grassroots Children Football Festival, in celebration of the International Day of Peace," held at the Tionko Field and Grounds.

The young participants whose ages range from 6-14 years old, came from orphanages, center for abused girls, urban poor communities, public schools and some neighbouring municipalities of Davao City. There were also teams composed of Muslims, including an all-women Muslim team who played in the girls’ division.

Hyenas Football Club (Hyenas FC), who joined the most number of divisions (5 out of 7) during the friendly football competition, is a football club initiated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) as pre-emptive measures against youth crime or juvenile delinquency. Almost half of the composition of the club is comprised of out-of-school youths while the other half is composed of children from public schools. In an interview, Hyenas FC assistant coach Rex Rodriguez, divulged that the team-building efforts have become really close to the children’s heart as they have all jumped from one obstacle to the other - from acquiring regular practice space for the children to parents' and CIDG staff contributing for tournament transportation, out of their own pockets. All these challenges, however, didn't hamper their passion for the game. Meanwhile, Zonta FC, comprising Muslim players from all 7 Islam tribes in Davao, was convened in 1990 by Mr. Melvin Mon. He said that the #iScore4Peace in the Bangsamoro football competition taught all players to play for cooperation, teamwork and much needed tolerance. Mintal Interage, led by its coach, Danny Boy Fernandez, a teacher from Mintal Comprehensive High School, is solely composed of children from public schools located in the southern part of Davao City. The football club was formed as a joint community service by the barangay officials and public school teachers in the aforementioned areas. Black Knights FC, on the other hand, is comprised of public school students from the downtown area of the city. Black Knights is led by Coach Kitoy Canton. "When children play football, there is no religion, no tribes, no politics, no war. There is just peace and football” said Mr. Richard "Ebong" Joson, Marketing and Communications Head of the Philippine Football Federation, who graced the event as the football festival's guest of honor. "And through football, the children learn the values of respect, tolerance, unity and brotherhood; values that we all need to honor and exercise to pursue our hope for true and lasting peace. It is for this very reason that is such a privilege to be part of #iScore4Peace in the Bangsamoro and represent the Philippine Football Federation." He added. "Football is quite the extraordinary sport, as it has the ability to move people and unite communities by teaching them the sense of community and the values of teamwork, fair play, respect and solidarity while striving for a common goal, both on and off the pitch.” said Lyca Sarenas of Oxfam in the Philippines. Sarenas added, "With #iScore4Peace in the Bangsamoro, we harnessed the power of football and, at the same time, the power of social media, to foster the spirit of Peace Day. This campaign brought together grassroots youth communities, united young people in celebrating peace and, broadened the campaign reach on the Bangsamoro Peace Process to the youth, their guardians and their families." The event was also graced by Erwin Protacio, General Secretary of the Davao Football Association.

The #iScore4Peace in the Bangsamoro was organized by Oxfam, an international organization working to build a future free from the injustice of poverty in 94 countries worldwide.

Ceres FC and Dynamic Builders kept their top form and registered separate lopsided wins in the Negros Football League last quarter conference at the Ayala North football field, Sunday.

Taking full control of the first match, Ceres beat Las Buenas FC, 8-0, while Dynamic Builders routed Silver Dragon FC, 11-0, in the second match.

With his speed and quick reflexes, Janrick Soriano opened the scoring for Ceres a few seconds after the opening whistle for his first goal. Seconds later teammate Arvin Villaruel took advantage of the momentary lapse on LBFC’s defense to score Ceres’ second goal.

With two goals on their credit, Ceres cut Las Buenas some slack in the next 21 minutes until Joshua Fegidero found the chance to register his name under the goal scorers’ column.

Compounding LBFC’s woes was the 38th minute own goal initiated by Roem Guanzon.

As LBFC had some difficulty in bringing the ball to the other side, Villaruel struck yet again with another goal in the 40th minute to give Ceres a commanding 5-0 halftime advantage.

The second half was pure routine for Ceres with team manager Leo Rey Yanson joining his guys inside the pitch and scoring his team’s 7th goal in the 60th minute, eight minutes after Soriano netted his second goal.

Lemuel Unabia completed the demolition of LBFC as he booted in Ceres’ eight and last goal in the 74th minute.

It was the same scenario in the second match as Dynamic Builders showed no mercy in shutting out Silver Dragon with 11 goals.

Jaime Poderoso scored four goals (12th, 14th, 55th, and 65th) to establish total dominance for Dynamic, while Jayshon Panhay delivered three markers (9th, 15th, and 56th), and two goals from Ian Treyes (8th and 45th).

Cholo Gonzales and Mark Arandilla scored one goal each.

Sunday’s third match was close with Trimaxi getting away with a 3-2 win against Jakalz.

Trimaxi’s Eliseo Palomo Jr. opened the scoring in the 13th minute but Jakalz managed to equalize 25 minutes later courtesy of Michael Binabo as the score was tied, 1-all at halftime.

Palomo made his move once again in the 58th minute for Trimaxi’s second goal but Jakalz stayed close and Binabo also scored his second marker in the 64th minute for a 2-all deadlock.

Ryan Hermida broke the tie and sealed the win for Trimaxi as his attempt found the back of the net in the 75th minute.

The tournament, bankrolled by the Ceres Group of Companies, is part of the year-round football program initiated by brothers Leo Rey and Ricky Yanson to sustain public interest in the sport and keep local football talents in top form.*NAB

FAR EASTERN University fired back at the Philippine Football Federation, denying accusations that they refused to cooperate and release players to the national team.

“I think we are the most cooperative in terms of the national team,” said FEU athletic director Mark Molina, pointing out that the school had always been willing to lend players to the national team under the condition that their stint won’t affect their academics.

The PFF said FEU's Chester Gio Pabualan, Renz Saldivar, and Orlan Togores failed to show up for the last practice of the team before leaving for Kuala Lumpur. The three were then dropped, leaving the Under-16 Azkals with only 19 players for the Asian joust.

Under-16 Azkals coach Anto Gonzales said FEU's coach Kim Chul Su had kept the Tamaraws trio from joining the national squad due to “various reasons, a number of issues against the federation and the coaches.”

Molina admitted that, at the moment, FEU will not be lending its players to the national team until a similar case in the Under-19 team involving the school's Arnel Amita is resolved.

Molina said national coach Marlon Maro and team manager Alvin Carranza had asked for the services of Amita for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-19 Championships in Indonesia on September 7 to 23.

FEU initially refused to release Amita since he was under academic probation, but later agreed to let him join the team from September 8 to 15 after being cleared to play by his professors.

But the school later found out that Amita was booked to leave for Indonesia on September 18, in violation of the dates agreed upon.

“I already requested our football coaches not to allow anyone to join the national team because of what happened to Amita,” said Molina.

Generally, however, MOlina pointed out FEU has been generous in lending players to the national team, so long as there are no scheduling conflicts with the UAAP tournament.

“I can only speak for FEU but Richard Escoto is part of the youth basketball team that just left yesterday. One of our players, Paolo Bugas, he is only second year college but we allowed him to join the Azkals. Gilas, nagpahiram din kami ng player in RR Garcia, as well as in track and field.

BENT on giving the national side formidable opposition, the Philippine Football Federation is eyeing two more African teams to complete the cast in the four-nation Philippine Peace Cup in Bacolod City from Oct. 11 to 15.

PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes said they are close to finalizing the stint of Rwanda in the second edition of the tournament won by the Azkals last year.

Gastanes said they have also invited Uganda to play in the tournament with Afghanistan and Burundi also being eyed as possible opponents.

Only Chinese-Taipei has confirmed its participation and the PFF has set a Friday deadline to complete the cast for the tournament which is also meant to help the Azkals prepare for the AFC Challenge Cup next year.

Azkals manager Dan Palami said getting strong opposition from Africa will augur well for the Challenge Cup preparations.

“We’re looking at the African countries as quality opponents for our team,” said Palami.

Gastanes said the PFF was forced to look at Azkals coach Michael Weiss initially broached the idea of having Rwanda as part of the roster of teams as he had served as technical director in the African country.

Meanwhile, the Azkals suffered a huge blow following news that defender Carlie de Murga tore his ACL in a United Football League pre season match with his club, Global.

23 September 2013

The Loyola Meralco Sparks came away with a 3-1 victory against Indonesian side Persepam Madura United to bounce back in their campaign in the 2013 Menpora Cup on Monday at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java.
James Younghusband and Lee Joo Young scored one goal apiece for Loyola before an own goal by Madura sealed the final score for the Sparks, who recovered from 1-nil loss against Arema Malang last Saturday.
Lee started the scoring with a goal at the 19th minute, but Madura’s Denny Rumba quickly answered with a conversion at the 20th minute to tie the match.
Younghusband broke the deadlock after hitting the back of the net at the 45th minute to give Loyola a 2-1 halftime lead.
Madura suffered a huge blow in its comeback effort as Fachruddin Wahyudi Aryanto made an own goal at the 55th minute, allowing the Sparks to take a commanding 3-1 edge en route to the victory.
Loyola notched the triumph despite having just 41 percent of the possession and attempting eight shots, five of which were on target. Madura had more goal chances with 17, seven of which were on target.
The Sparks will next face Mitra Kukar on Wednesday to complete their matches in the Malang Group.
The 2013 Menpora Cup is an invitational club tournament featuring local clubs in Indonesia and some international teams. Also playing in the other group of the competition, the Bandung Group, are defending Australian League champion Central Coast Mariners, reigning Southeast Asian Games champion Malaysia Under-23 football team, domestic sides Persib Bandung, one of the most successful clubs in Indonesian history, and Sriwijaya FC, 2012 champion of the Indonesia Super League.

THE Philippine Football Federation will be looking for ways to once and for all solve the endless “club/school vs country” dilemma that now exists even in the youth levels.

PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes expressed his dismay after the national Under-16 boys’ football team was left without three Far Eastern University standouts when the squad vies in the Asian Football Confederation U-16 Championship qualifiers starting Wednesday in Malaysia.

“We’re looking seriously into that. We will address that issue,” Gastanes said after the sendoff for the team on Sunday night at the PFF office. “The federation, for the last few years, has been revising regulations, adapting regulations, and will be issuing regulations.”

U-16 Azkals coach Anto Gonzales said FEU coach Kim Chul Su initially refused to release winger Chester Gio Pabualan, midfielder Renz Saldivar, and defender Orlan Togores for national duty due to “various reasons, a number of issues against the federation and the coaches.”

There was no scheduling conflict as the UAAP football tournament, where FEU participates and made the semifinals last year, usually kicks off in December.

Gonzales continued that the Korean mentor eventually gave his permission at the “last minute” to Pabualan, Saldivar, and Togores, who, for some reason, still failed to attend the last practice session before the team's departure for Kuala Lumpur.

“We found out one kid was sick so the other two couldn’t join anymore. But they didn’t give us any advice as to what happened. So I decided not to bring them anymore,” Gonzales said.

Gastanes said they won’t give special treatment to anyone as the lawyer stressed the significance of donning the country’s colors.

“Last year, when Phil and James (Younghusband) had no time for practice, we didn’t include them in the lineup for the Peace Cup. We’re not afraid to repeat the same on all levels. We will rely on our fighting 19.”

“Being a member of the national squad is the highest level you can reach in your playing career. They should see the national issue,” Gastanes added.

One other key player in striker James Sambalod from La Salle wasn’t released due to academic deficiencies.

“If the reason is academic, we will go along because education is still the priority,” Gastanes said.

By Karlo SacamosTHE `future’ of Philippine football faces yet another severe test as the national Under-16 boys’ squad takes part in the Asian Football Confederation Championship qualifiers kicking off on Wednesday in Malaysia.

Composed of some of the finest teenage booters from Metro Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Cebu, Oroquieta, Dumaguete, Masbate, Davao and Bukidnon, and one from the US, the U-16 Azkals will be up against tough competition in Group J, where they are bracketed with Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

National coach Anto Gonzales is counting on striker Jeremiah “JB” Borlongan, along with midfielders Mark Winhoffer and Darius Diamante, and defender Josh Miller to lead the squad.

“I think we have a good future for Philippine football within this team,” said Gonzales, whose squad last competed in the Asean Football Federation U-16 Championship last month in Myanmar where they won one of four games.

Thomas Roy, who came over from Germany to become a grassroots development consultant and serve as the team’s technical official, liked what he saw from his initial observations.

“I was surprised because I saw a lot of very good players,” the German said. “They are technically and tactically good.”

The Filipino booters flew to Kuala Lumpur on Monday and will have no less than Japan as their first opponent on Wednesday, followed by Indonesia on Friday, before ending their group stage campaign against Vietnam on Sunday.

“Japan is levels ahead in terms of development. I told the boys let’s just play the best possible way you can and show the other countries that we can play good football also and not just parking the bus and just clearing the ball,” Gonzales said.

“We want to play possession and keep the ball and go for the attack when the opportunity comes. That’s gonna be the approach against Japan,” he added.